Written by Rebecca Mwase
Forget Kuta: an untouched wilderness awaits in northern Bali
Imagine escaping deep into a wild lush jungle where a guide you’ve never met before (but place your complete trust in) leads you into the depths of an untouched wilderness. Now picture a pathway made by chopping your way through the undergrowth with a machete until, behold, you stumble across hidden waterfalls, exotic wildlife and the most memorable adventure of your life. Welcome to northern Bali.
Yes, that’s right: Bali.
In an attempt to offset the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, we deliberately avoided the fleshpots and headed to the more rural and remote areas of this paradise island. Lovina is a string of villages where we found a quiet little bungalow (Kubu Lalang) that offered jungle trekking with locals as an excursion. We expected a tame waltz through a few overgrown palm trees, and maybe a few creeping vines, but the walk itself towards this jungle completely threw us off track.
The road weaved through rice fields, up back roads and eventually towards a steep incline. The initial path was concrete, but we took a sidewalk running through the wilderness. It trails alongside a stream bringing water down from the hills and, at intervals, we saw the locals washing their clothes and carting water to their homes.
At an old dam guarded by an altar to the gods, the pathway ends and the real trekking begins. Watching our guides for clues, we wondered how they could effortlessly maneuver through this restricted space. Wearing only flip-flops and jugging backpacks full of provisions, they became modern-day Mowglis leading bewildered urban folk through their secret land. Without them, you wouldn’t last a day.
The first revelation: Everything around you is alive and bearing fruit. From elephant grass to cotton trees, papaya, coffee, chocolate, guava and banana, the jungle is ripe with fresh offerings for sampling along the way. A special treat (and one native to Indonesia) is the snake fruit. After pulling back the mottled reddish-brown skin and biting in, there’s a sharp tangy taste that many liken to durian – only much, much better. The guides can identify every tree you pass, and even climb a few to toss you down a tasty citrus treat.
Once in the bush, you are led through dead trees, long grass and deep mud. Beware, leeches hiding in this wet, fragrant place cleverly find ways to attach themselves to your unsuspecting limbs. My companion was host to one of these little bloodsuckers for almost two hours before it was spotted and cast aside with disgust.
Most waterfalls on tourist treks are just cunning ploys to pique your interest, but this entire trek was a fascinating exception to that rule. We happened upon a wall of rock and water, a good 100m tall, flanked by an abundance of vegetation and a mound of clustered coffee plants. As we waded through the cold, clear, ankle-deep water, we could only wonder what treasures we’d happen upon next. We soon found a second waterfall, a much-needed resting place and a perfect spot for a tranquil photo op.
As the trek wound down through lush terraced rice fields, the sky became mirrored in the glassy wet surface of the pools. The air was so clean and bright we wondered how we could ever bring ourselves to return to Shanghai – this was before somebody mentioned lunch. Most of your lunch here comes from the jungle, and is collected on route. The plates are made from banana leaves and the wild peppers, lemongrass, limes and shallots are all freshly picked, natural and whole. These culinary delights are mixed with handfuls of pre-cooked chicken and served with shavings of rice, dried noodles and peanuts nestled in the arm of the most versatile of plants. Everything is devoured with the hands.
We sat eating under a gazebo, gazing at the idyllic view of jungle forest, the rice terraces, the cultivated land flowing into the towns and the sea upon the horizon – and we realized that Bali could just possibly be the original Garden of Eden.
Source: http://shanghai.urbanatomy.com
February 27th, 2009
The St. Regis Bali Resort celebrates its grand opening on February 28, 2009, with an extraordinary evening that will include an exclusive performance by international artist and top U.K. jazz performer, Jamie Cullum. The resort, which opened on September 15, is located in Nusa Dua, an elite beach enclave on the Southern tip of Bali. The St. Regis Bali Resort features 123 luxurious, oversized suites and villas, two exclusive Residences, world-class restaurants and bars, a signature Remède Spa, an intimate wedding chapel, ballroom and state-of-the-art meeting spaces.
Reminiscent of the legendary social gatherings that took place over a century ago for the influential, glitterati and high society at the original St. Regis New York, the exclusive celebration at The St. Regis Bali Resort will be attended by 200 distinguished business guests and socialites. The diamonds and pearls theme of the celebration will reflect the luxury, elegance, and sophistication of the renowned galas and events thrown by Mrs. Caroline Astor, at The St. Regis New York more than a century ago.
The lobby and Astor Ballroom will be transformed by flower arrangements to create a magical setting for the evening. Guests will enjoy signature cocktails and canapés, as well as oysters served from elaborate ice carvings in the lobby ponds. Live music from solo violinist, jazz singer and spectacular fire lighting ritual will culminate with the soothing sounds of top U.K. jazz singer Jamie Cullum.
“We are proud to be officially unveiling the first St. Regis Resort in Asia. We are confident that following months of preparation since we started operations in September 2008, we will host a celebration that will create a delightful memory for guests,” said general manager, Frank Beck.
“The St. Regis Bali Resort is the brand’s first resort in Asia and also the first internationally branded luxury resort to be located directly on the beach. With its strategic location and the rich residential feel of its rooms, combined with the uncompromising, bespoke service of the St. Regis Brand, this resort will make an ideal choice for global travelers,” said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.
Owned by PRBI- Pacific Resort Buana Indonesia, The St. Regis Bali Resort occupies a breathtaking beachfront location with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and neighboring Bali Golf & Country Club. With Grounds Kent Architect as the main architect, Bensley Design Studios, the extraordinary landscape architecture, weaves together art, traditional Balinese design and natural influences, while interiors by Manny Samson and Associates combine rich imported fabrics with indigenous materials and cultural artifacts that reflect the island’s rich heritage. Exquisite furnishings and amenities in the resort’s guest rooms and suites create a tranquil and luxurious setting for discerning global travelers.
Dining at The St. Regis Bali Resort indulges the senses with a diverse menu of sophisticated island-inspired cuisine. Kayuputi, a dazzling beachfront restaurant with stylish interiors, features an exotic menu of caviar, Wagyu beef and seafood al fresco in a private cabana set against an ocean backdrop. At the resort’s second restaurant, Boneka, guests are invited to savor authentic Asian-style dishes in a sophisticated and relaxing setting. The King Cole Bar honors the legacy of the Astors and the brand’s flagship property in New York, the birthplace of the iconic Bloody Mary. Home-made delicacies and imported fine culinary delights are available at Gourmand Deli. The Legendary St. Regis Butler Service is also available to prepare a private, in room-barbecue for guests, accompanied by a personal chef and sommelier.
A suite of pampering services is available at The St. Regis Bali Resort’s Remède Spa, set in a serene corner of the resort surrounded by Koi Carp pond. Featuring twelve treatment rooms, the spa offers both traditional treatments and modern Remède therapies to create the ultimate spa experience. The signature Lulur Experience of Indonesia includes gentle exfoliation with a paste of sandalwood, turmeric, ground nuts and rice. Other facilities include an Aqua Vitale Pool, for a full body underwater massage, two phenomenal spa suites and a yoga center.
For guests seeking an exclusive and romantic wedding destination, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers an exceptional wedding venue, unparalleled in setting and service. Located directly on the resort’s private beach, the Cloud Nine Chapel is both intimate and elegant, while the Cloud Nine honeymoon villa offers a majestic setting for an unforgettable wedding experience. An ideal choice for meetings on one of Asia’s leading resort islands, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers an exclusive beachfront location for social and corporate gatherings, featuring two boardrooms, and state-of-the-art meeting and function space.
Following in the tradition of the legendary St. Regis Hotel New York, The St. Regis Bali Resort will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to meet global travelers’ needs. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guests needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences. The resort offers guests 12-hour and 24-hour personalized butler service, as well as separate butler quarters, complete with a private entrance, for each villa. For more information on The St. Regis Bali Resort, please visit: www.stregis.com/bali
About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining timeless sophistication with modern luxury, the St. Regis brand is uncompromising in its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor with the landmark St. Regis Hotel, New York over a century ago, St. Regis is known for delivering an unrivaled dimension of luxury, bespoke service and refined elegance at the best addresses in the world. The brand plans to further its legacy globally and will unveil highly anticipated St. Regis properties in Atlanta-Buckhead, Baha Mar, The Bahamas, BahĂa Beach, Puerto Rico, Bal Harbour and Deer Crest in North America, and in Buenos Aires, Costa Rica, and Mexico City in Latin America. In Asia, St. Regis has announced plans to open properties in Bangkok, Jakarta, Lhasa, Kuala Lumpur, Macao, Osaka and Tianjin. In the Middle East, St. Regis will expand in Cairo, Doha, Dubai, and Bahrain. Personalized service and amenities, enviable locations and luxuriously localized design are recognized worldwide as hallmarks of the St. Regis experience. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com.Â
Source: www.hotelinteractive.com
February 27th, 2009